Air purifiers purify the air by eliminating dust, pollutants, allergens, contaminants, smoke, mites, bacteria, virus, pollen, molds, odors, gas, etc. With increasing indoor air pollution, the necessity of having an air purifier has amplified. Air purifiers are a great boon for patients suffering from asthma and different types of allergies. Today, air purifier became a necessity for every home.

Many brands with different specifications are entering the market, making it difficult for a consumer to choose the best one. Before finalizing a product, one should make sure that he/she is aware of the technology used in it and the concerns it addresses.

Types of technologies

The technology used in air purifying is basically categorized into two categories – Active and Passive. However, there are some purifiers which make use of both the technologies.

1. Passive technology

Passive technology involves purifying air by drawing it to the purifier. The air drawn passes through the filters, present in the purifier, thus purifying the air from contaminants, micro-organisms, allergens, dust particles, pollen, odors, gas, etc. Some of the passive technologies include:

• HEPA & generic filters - both used to filter solid particles from air

• Activated carbon air filters - used to remove chemical compounds and odors

• Electrostatic precipitators - used to filter very small particles

• UV filters - used to kill micro-organisms in the air

The purifiers using passive technology need to have filters compulsorily.

2. Active technology

Active technology is a technology, wherein air is purified outside the purifying unit by producing some kind of effect in the air. Active air purifiers are of two types. They are:

• Ionizer purifiers produce ions, which attach to particles and eliminate chemical compounds, dust particles etc. from air

• Ozone generators alter molecules of oxygen and turn them into ozone; thus destroy micro-organisms and remove odors and gases from air

3. Active and passive technologies

This is a combination of both active and passive technologies and the purifiers with this technology are more efficient than purifiers with each of the individual technologies.

Concerns they address

Before buying an air purifier, one should be clear about the purpose of his purchase and needs to check if the air purifier is fulfilling the same or not. There are various concerns, which an air purifier needs to address.

Allergies: Most of the city dwellers are exposed to dusty environment. The dusty air consists of many tiny dusty particles like sand, tiny stones, pollen of plants, etc., which are allergic to most of the people. As most of the allergens are solid particles, an air purifier whose filters are efficient enough to filter these allergens should be bought.

Asthma: Asthma is a chronic breathing disease, which exaggerates further on breathing the air filled with impurities. Air purifiers should not only be able to filter the air from impurities but also should be able to oxidize the air.

Odor: Modern day homes have a very limited ventilation option. Hence, the circulation of air in the home becomes difficult. Due to the stagnation of air, typical odor may develop. Odors may also be due to various reasons like painting, cooking, burning, etc. In such cases air purifier should be able to eliminate odor from the air.

Smoke: Smoke is a major concern in the houses on the road sides or in the industrial localities. Other reasons for smoke in indoors are cooking, burning, etc. Smoke contains a thick amount of pollutants capable of affecting the health of the human beings. An air purifier should be able to effectively clear all the thick solid particles present in smoke.

Mold: Mold spores are one of the airborne contaminants. They cause many health problems such as asthma, allergy, cough, sneeze, etc. These mold spores are sometimes poisonous, posing a severe threat. Hence, one should check if the purifier is able to combat these minute, yet threatening spores.

Pet dander: Homes with pets have high chances of air contamination due their dander. Some people may also be allergic to this. So as to keep the surroundings of the home free from dander, one should select a suitable air purifier.

Cold, flu and virus: Apart from the natural contaminants and pollutants that are present in the air, considerable amount of micro-organisms also are present at any given place. These micro-organisms are generally small germs, bacteria and virus. These are most commonly known to cause problems such as cold and flu. They are more rampant in some specific seasons. New air purifiers now are capable of killing biological organisms present in the air. Opting for this kind of purifier generally is very beneficial to the consumer in protecting their health to the maximum extent.

Chemicals: Chemicals are part of almost everybody’s lives today. Sometimes these chemicals release toxic gases that can cause an irreparable damage to the health of the people inhaling them. An efficient air purifier embedded with a technology of purifying the chemical contaminants should be given the highest priority.

Air purifier, a basic necessity among every household should be purchased with great knowledge. Air purifiers today are using latest technologies for more effective cleaning of air. While purchasing an air purifier, one should consider the above mentioned factors apart from cost to live a healthy life.